The hairdresser decided to keep her children home from school Tuesday and reported the man's warnings to Bethlehem police, who with assistance from South Whitehall police visited his township home, authorities said. The hairdresser knew the man's identity because he paid for his shampoo and haircut with a credit card, authorities said.

Police questioned the man and, with his permission, searched the residence, where they found two .45-caliber Glock handguns, ammunition, a bulletproof vest and literature referring to a "Mega Terror Attack on Oct. 1, 2013," authorities said. There were no explosives in the home, authorities said, and the man voluntarily relinquished his weapons to police.

Based on the statement that he received a message from God, it appears the man may be delusional, Martin said. He voluntarily agreed to seek treatment at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg in Bethlehem, where he remains today, authorities said.

Following a meeting this afternoon with First Assistant District Attorney Steven Luksa, Bethlehem police, South Whitehall police and Parkland School District officials, Martin concluded that the man's "continuing treatment is the appropriate course," he said.

"From the time of the police investigation at the man’s home in South Whitehall Township, and especially after his admittance to the hospital, there was deemed to be no credible threat against any school in Lehigh County or elsewhere," Martin said.

"I hope that any concerns of the public are alleviated, and that Lehigh Valley residents, those with and without children in schools, are reassured that there is no imminent threat of any attack upon our schools," he continued.

Assigned vest for work

The man, who authorities did not name, is employed by an armored carrier company, which issued the bulletproof vest as part of his uniform, authorities said. He has no prior criminal record, is licensed to carry a firearm and has completed lethal weapons training required for his job, Martin said.

He said the man cooperated with authorities throughout their investigation and faces no criminal charges in connection with this incident.

Bethlehem police conducted an extensive interview with the man. City police, Martin and Luksa also spoke with his hairdresser, who said she did not feel threatened by the man's comments and reported them to authorities only because he'd mentioned receiving a message from God, authorities said.

There is no evidence to suggest the man is a danger to himself or others, Martin said. An expert would have to rule otherwise in order for the man to be involuntarily committed to a hospital under the Mental Health Procedures Act, he said.

Saucon Valley School District Superintendent Sandra Fellin, in an email message to district staff earlier this week, said the man claimed "jihadists" were going to visit 27 of the region's schools and bring about a "massacre." She also said in the message that police had found firearms and explosives in the man's home.

Fellin said police would step up their presence on Saucon Valley's campus in response to the alleged threats. "I do not want to cause hysteria, just know that I am aware and want all to be diligent," she said in the message.

"Much of the public concern could have been avoided with the exercise of common sense, good judgment and restraint by a few school administrators outside of Lehigh County who reacted inappropriately to rumor and caused unnecessary and widespread concern," Martin said.

"The public's concerns also were fueled by some members of the local media who reported misinformation and unverified information as fact when the information was never substantiated by any official source."